Blowoff valve for locomotive boilers



Feb. 9,'1954 c. ocKER 2,668,685

BLOWOF'F VALVES FOR LOCOMOTIVE BOILERS Filed June 26, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 um' "WNW Ai'rorneys Feb. 9, 1954 Q OCKER 2,668,685

BLOWOFF VALVES FOR LOCOMOTIVE BOILERS Filed June 26, 1947 5 Sheefs-Sheet 2 78 4 ,45 ELE- A- 74 e3 2l 29 '5e' 'Ei 15 80 sa 87 8 i I9 I8 2" 55 76 73 72 90 HMI wil 4 8 .IIIVJIIL 47 l` l n 65 :WM Jn i if, 63

*5' INVENTOR. :5112115 Charles Ocker MIM VoLgM Attorneys Feb. 9; 1954 c. ocKl-:R 2,668,585

BLOWOFF' VALVES FOR LOCOMOTIVE BOILERS Filed June 2e. 1947 s sheets-sheet s :FE: 'Z

lo l 79 n l 92 MW" '1lb E :LCE-'ILD 5 INVENToR. Charles Ocker Attorneys 3 the provision of a blow-oit' valve of this type, the main body of which is cast with a chamber eX- tending beyond opposite sides thereof having aligned inlet and outlet fluid passages, a valve block unit having upper and lower plane surfaces including a fluid passage and a valve cavity in its lower side, a floating valve member seating in said cavity and having no direct connection With the valve block, spring means in said cavity for maintaining said valve in sealing position with respect to said outlet opening, and an encircling steam or fluid passage around the block adapted to effect equalization of pressure on opposite sides thereof tending to floatingly position it and at the same time maintain said iloating valve in valve closing position, not only eecting the easy reciprocal movement of the block, but providing a definite escape passage for the steam or fluid and sludge as the block is moved to closed position, and, additionally, causing any foreign matter in the chamber to be cleared therefrom through said passage by the intermittent discharge of the steam at high velocity through the restricted opening between the lower edge of passage 2l,

and the upper end of outlet opening I3. In this connection it is to be noted, as the floating valve block attains its closing position, pressure upon the block depresses the latter and materially reduces the escape space for the steam to outlet opening I3, so that the steam will flow through this reduced space at high velocity and thus function to scavenge the chamber. This con-l struction permits the valve block to readily move to complete valve closing position without any huid cushioning elect which would otherwise be present.

Another important object of this invention 1s the provision of a blow-off valve of this type, the main body of which is cast with a chamber extending beyond opposite sides thereof having aligned inlet and outlet fluid passages, a valve block unit having upper and lower plane surfaces including a fluid passage and a valve cavity in its lower side, a floating valve member seating in said cavity, spring means in said cavity for maintaining said valve in sealing position with respect to the said -opening, and additional means in connection with said block cavity for supplementing the action of said spring in one direction maintaining the valve seated, and said spring also reacting in conjunction with said supplemental means to effect equalization of the uid pressure on said block when it is in passage closing position to render it easily removable.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a blow-olf valve of this type, the main body of which is cast with a chamber extending beyond opposite sides thereofhaving aligned inlet and outlet uid passages, a valve block unit having upper and lower plane surfaces including a uid passage and a valve cavity in its lower side, a oating valve member seating in said cavity, spring means in said cavity for maintaining said valve in sealing position with respect to said outlet opening, and means surrounding said opening forming a seat for said valve, the construction and arrangement of said valve and valve seat being such that upon removal of said seat member the valve may be readily removed and replaced without necessitating removal of the valve block and while said block is in valve closing or seating position.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a blow-oli` valve of the character described wherein the exterior valve parts such as the bonnet and operating handle retaining ring may be locked against rotary movement by simply being placed in seating position and whereby the operating handle will be supported in proper operating position, said bonnet and coacting parts adapted for threaded connection, thus eliminating bolted connections and enabling the valve to be readily disassembled vand reassembled as desired.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement` of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate like parts ,throughout the several figures, of which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the valve opera- 'tively connected to the boiler with parts in fragmentary section.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the valve in closed position and in dotted lines to open position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the parts in complete open or discharge position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section on the line l-'I of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section on the line afi-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a perspective inverted view of the valve housing.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the valve stem removed from the housing.

Fig. 1l is a detail inverted side elevation of the valve showing one of the steam openings.

Fig. l2 is a detail top plan view of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section on the line I 3-I 3 of Fig. 11.

It has been prevalent in connection withy locomotive blow-off valves for effecting the removal of sludge, or contaminated boiler water, for the valve operating under high boiler pressure to become fouled and stuck causing a complete shutdown of the engine and removal of the valve body in order to gain access to the operating parts for cleaning, replacement, and the like, and it was to overcome the disadvantages of such valve structures and to provide a blow-oit valve, including a valve body having a valve chamber, a slidable valve unit including a movable valve member housed therein, so constructed that the operating parts exteriorly and within the valve body can be easily removed and replaced without removal of the Valve proper, and constructed to prevent clogging of the valve by extraneous particles accumulating therein and to prevent such accumulation, and designed to equalize the boiler pressure Within the valve body and on opposite sides of the valve unit to render it freely operable from open to closed positions, and since in effect the movable valve member in closed position'constitutes a continuation of the bottom wall of said chamber, when in such position the pressure thereon will maintain it closed and at the same time eiect a reactive equalizing pressure on said unit, that I designed the device forming the 4subject matter of this invention.

VIn the illustrated embodiment characterizing 5 this 'invention there .i'seshown valvean'clfa lo# comotive boiler B. 4

A valve nipple'lconnection EI formed with ahexagon'al vbodyportion12 terminating fat one end in a -.reduced .threaded portion i3 and at .the opposite end in asimilar -reducedthreade `portion 4 the en'd .3 being 'adapted for thraded'enfgaginent inv opening 35 `torinesi in the Abottoni fof boiler TB and effecting fcOmi'rfiunicatiohfWi-th the -bllerf eed orfs'lu'dge water" t. described as th-readedl-y connected to the boiler Bit may' be 'Connected by a 'boiler flange' tting or 4infamy suitable manner aside'sir'ed.

The locomotive sludgel -b'lovve'off valve A is formed with a valve bod-y portion *l Vformedwith a lthreaded socket 8 at `itsnpr'ier )end adapted to receive the threaded end "lt-'df Lnipple I and by means of which, in' the present instance, it is attaehd t the boiler -B. Said body at 'its lower end'. is formed with a threaded jsocket'opening 9 terminating in a lateral seat 'U and an annular flange II surrounding said Ysea-t. 'Said body I is formed with a central bore inlet'open-ing I2 'anda similar outlet opening i3 and is' formed intermediate the openings Igan'd A'I3 with a substantially rectangular laterally or `lfiorizontally extending chamber I extending :beyond opposite sides 0f the body portion '1, formed at 'one end with a rounded end l5 and terminating at its other endin an vannular lflange 'I6 lexteriorly threaded 'as at I1.

A valve gate block Unit it* safdapted for susm able or reciprocating movement in said chamber I4 and is' rounded at oneend as vat I9 conforming to the rounded 'end lI5 of' said chamber, and is formed with a flat `end surface 2t yat its other end. Adjacent end I'Siu'it is formed `with a flow or discharge' opening 2i adapted when in open position to register with inlet opening I2 land outlet opening I3 toV form a continuous unobstructed passage for the flow of said boiler Water 6 from the boiler (Figs. 3 arid 6) Said block IB is formed in its lower surface with an 'annular valve cavity or Ychan'lber 22, said chamber being coun'- terbored vasiat 23y 'to vform a valve seat 2li and at diametrically opposite sides; said block is formed with an opening 'eX-tending from the lov/'er sur: v

face to seat 2e and each opening 25 is formed with asmaller opening 2G;

An annular oat'irig valve 27 is mounted in chamber 22 of av thiels'ness substantially corre-v sponding to the depth of the counterbor'ed open` ingl 23 so that when in engagement with seat 24 it will not extend beyond 'the surface of block I8. Said valve is formed with a flange 2,3 adapted to extend substantial-ly to the bottom of chamber 22 when valve 21 is in engagement with sea-t 24 `and flange 22 is formed adjacent its upper edge with an annular channel-2S provided inthe present instance with four equi-spaced openings 3Q extending therethrough. ,l

Also valve 2 is for-medwith an upstanding centrally positioned lug 3l which has suitably secured thereto a spirally Wound conica'lly shaped compression coil spring 32 which is= adapted 'to seat onV the bottom of cavity 2'2 (Fig. 5) and 'tend-r ing vto normally project valve 21 beyond 'the lower surface 'o'f'bloc'k I8 and into`r engagement withthe lower chamber Wall and its" 'seat 13" surroundir* outlet I3, when in valve closing position'. Y

It Will be observed that vthe' threaded end I6 of nipple connection 'I4 `vvherl engaged in opening 9 ush vwith the bottom vvall of chamber I4 surrounds outlet opening I3 'and forms a seat I3 for the auxiliary kor Afloating valve 2.1. To

seating position with respect to outlet open"`g remove said vaivefitfisomy .necessafyfgto iis'ewf nipple 'I45 whereupon the val-ve rv"xviii drop `lout or beex'pelled by spring 32 and it 'inay' beplaced' or substituted by simply putting the valve in opening 9 and replacing the ythreaded end 'of' said nipple therein. VThis iseiztrenrely important since the valve maybe removed and replaced a 'fewA minutes,v which otherwise' 'would I-:et'iu'ireV several hours with the locomotive 'out 'of service.

Extending Completely around vthe 516166K IES substantially central of its'v height; intersecting' the vopenir'igs '26 and terminating at leach I'end the T Or bayonet slot Opening 33, AiS 'the 'bolf pressure equalizing 'groove vCi'll for a "purpose that t Will directly more fully appear;

The surface "of val-ve *21 'is formed with 1an' annular slightly raised portion y35` and hav' its peripheral edge beveled as at 36 SO that ald val-ve may be moved into and out of closedjror I3 (Figs. 3 and 5) Without Catching 0l hindi g.. and also prevents binding or clogging of ev valve with respect to the lower Wall of chamber' M by the temporary presence of extraneous matter during itsl reciprocalv moveme'r'lt 'fromv open to closed position as will -be apparent. g

It Will be further noted with respect to valve block I8 adapted for slida'ble movement-Kg in chamber= I4 that the openings 2b and 26 'allow the boiler pressure to :build up in 'chamber 22 and yforcer the valve Y2'I linto 'seating' position when moved to valve seating orclosiing position, jat tl'ie' same time reacting against' block I8 and vvi'tliA the pressure equalizing groove 3E eectinjg equal;A

. ization of the boiler pressure Within the' valve body, that is, chamber III, and 'with respect 't'o valve block I8 to eect the desired treev action of said block therein. 'Not 'only this, but the intermittent Asteam pressure Within elia'mber Il' and through valve chamber 22 cleans `and keeps said parts free from laccom'ulation of extraneous matter and prevents clogging and binding of the movable parts resulting in la stuck valve, and vlias` been prevalent Ain valve structures heretofore in use. v

With further reference to theY boiler pressure equal-izing groove 34, itwill be noted that -upri movement of the valve block I-S 'to valve-closing position the pressure onl lthe upper' sur-face of the block forces it downwardly against the Jac# tionY of the spring 32l sufliciently to 'permit the fluid to flow over saidblock and to and 'through'- said groove to said cavity 22 so 'that the pressure' Will be eq'ualiaed on the upper and lower 4s faces of the block, and the balancing pres'su e' in the cavity supplemented by the stored energy in the spring imparts floating characteristics' to. the valve blockthereby permitting iftsfeasyoper'; ation;

This structural arrangement including salitiv groove or encircling steam passage-around the block, not only eiects the easy reciprocal rilievo-F ment of the block, but provides a de'iiriite escape passage for the vsteam or iiuid and sludge a'sthe block is moved vto closed position, "and, addi=' tionally, causes any foreign matter in the cha-` ber to be cleared therefrom through said pa sage by the intermittent discharge'v of the steam', permitting the valve block to readily move to' complete valve closing position Without any ffl-uid-y 'cushioning eiec't which, practice has demon strated, would otherwise be present.

Adapted to seat on the end lface of flange I5 v is a bonnet structurev -31 formed with a dotvel pin or lug 38 adapted to project inopening '39 which holds the bonnet `in position and'sagainst' rotation. Said bonnet is formed-with a flange- 48 provided with an annular seat 4I on which is adapted to seat a bonnet retaining cap nut 42, threadedly engageable with thread I1 to retain the bonnet in rigid and sealing position thereon. Said bonnet is formed with an annular seat 43 on which is adapted to seat the link supporting ring 44 and suitably formed in and projecting above seat 43 is a dowel or lug 45 adapted to project through opening or recess 46 in ring 44 to maintain said link support against rotation. This pin is so positioned with respect to the circumference of the seat or the opening 46 With respect to the inner wall of the ring as to place the link 41 in position to support the operating lever 48 in the desired operating position. Bonnet 31 is formed substantially coincident with the surface of said ring -84 With a reduced threaded portion 48 adapted to threadedly engage the hexagonal nut 58 which when tightened thereon locks the supporting ring 44, in position. Bonnet 31 terminates in a further reduced threaded end portion 5i and on which is threadedly mounted a valve stem packing nut 52 containing the packing 58. It will be understood that valve stem 54 extends through said bonnet 31 and valve stem packing nut 52, and is formed at its inner end with an annular groove 55 and a square or rectangular end piece 58 adapted for engagement in slot 33 of valve block I8 and which constitutes one wall of the groove and with an enlarged portion 51 adjacent said groove the free edge of which is beveled as at v58, and constitutes a valve seat.

The inner face of bonnet S1 is countersunk as at 59 to receive the enlarged portion of valve head 51 and the bottom of said opening 58 is conoaved as at 68 to form a seat for the c'omplemental beveled face 58, not only forming a stop to limit the movement of valve stem 54 in valve opening direction but effecting a seal for chamber i4 when the valve stem is in valve opening position. Link 41 is bifurcated at one end as at SI to receive the upstanding ear 62 of ring 44 to which it is pivotally connected by pin 63 secured by Cotter pin 85 and the other end of link 41 is similarly bifurcated as at 55 to receive the end 58 of lever 48 secured therein by pin 83 and cotter pin 84 similar to the connection at its other end. Lever 48 is formed with an enlarged or thickened portion 61 formed with a substantially elongated slot 8a adapted to receive the reduced end 69 of valve stem 54 pivotally connected therein by pin 1I) extending therethrough, and formed with an opening 1I adapted to receive a cotter pin 64, or secured in any suitable manner as will be well understood. The lever 48 is formed at its free end with opening 12 and in which may be oonnected any suitable reach rod linkage or operating medium 13 extending to the cab of the locomotive or elsewhere for operation by the engineer as will be well understood.

A nipple connection 14 is formed With a hexagonal body portion 15 terminating at one end in a reduced threaded portion 16 adapted for threaded engagement in opening 8 of the valve body 1 and With the complemental valve seat or shoulder 11 engageable with seat I8, and with an oiset flange seat 18. flange seat 18 is a copper or other suitable gasket 19 forming a steam seal connection with flange II. It will be well understood, that suitable gaskets may be interposed between the normally meeting faces of any of the respective iittings as desired. Nipple 14 terminates at its free end in an annular ange 88 exteriorly threaded as at Adapted to seat on 8l: The end face 82 of nipple 14 surrounding the bore 83, communicating with outlet I3, is ooncaved or rounded as at 84 to form a seat for the complementally formed rounded head 85 of body member 86 of a union fitting assembly 81. Said body member 88is threaded as at 88 to receive the threaded end 89 of a fluid or discharge pipe 90, and is formed with an annular lateral ange 9|. An apertured hexagonal internally threaded screw cap member 92 is adapted to t over member 86 in engagement with flange 9| and to threadedly engage flange 88 to sealingly seat head 85 in engagement with seat 84. Said union tting comprises the members 88 and 92.

With further reference to valve stem 54 it will be understood that the seating of head 51 in opening 59 and the coacting seats 58 and 60 not only provide a stop for the open position of the valve block and prevent undue strain `on the T- head of said valve stem 54 when in valve open position but effects a steam seal for chamber I4. Such construction constitutes an important feature, since when the valve block is brought -to full valve open position the seating of valve stem head 51 forms a steam seal, and the valve stem can be repacked as at 53 under full boiler pressure by placing a cut-off valve in the outlet pipe 98 or by applying a suitable fitting to the end of said discharge or outlet pipe 98, preferably With a drain valve in it to relieve the pressure in the pipe after the packing is completed, and which repacking operation requires only a few minutes. Usually this operation requires that the steam and water be drained from the boiler, and after the repairs are made the boiler must be refilled with water and fired up to service pressure. It usually takes about six hours to complete the Whole operation,l and Which is obviously an expensive proposition.

While the operation of the device Would seem to be clear from the above description, it might be well to further state that when the valve is operatively connected to the boiler and in communication with the boiler feed or sludge Waters 6 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, operation of the lever 48 to valve closing position places valve block I8 in the position shown in Fig. 3 with valve 21 in seating position with respect to outlet I3 and the boiler pressure admitted into chamber I4 around block I8 and into valve chamber 22 maintains said valve in seating position and, by means of the formation of said valve block such boiler pressure is equalized in said chamber I4 thereby permitting easy manipulation of said block to valve opening and closing positions'as heretofore referred to. Movement of lever 48 in the opposite direction moves valve stem 54 outwardly and, head 51 seating in opening 55 not only limits the movement of block I8 and positions opening 2i in alignment with inlet opening I2 and outlet opening I3, but head 51 constitutes a valve stem seal With respect to chamber I4. It Will be seen that the limit of movement of valve stem 58 in one direction moves valve block I8 to complete open position, and its limit of movement in the opposite direction positions valve 21 in valve closing position. It is therefore apparent that valve A may be instantly operated as desired to opened or closed positions to discharge or cut on' the flow of sludge therethrough.

In this connection it will be observed that if desired, a continuous and regulated discharge sludge flow may be effected by simply maintaining operating lever 48 at any point of adjustment ofrpassage-Zi ofi valve *blockl I8 from complete open to closed position with respect to inlet- I2.

`It will' bey `fur-ther noted that when the fluid passage 2J. of valve `block I8 is` in registration with the aligned inlet and outlet passages and valve stem `head- 5l' is in engagement with seat 60 a `iiuid seal surrounding` the valve: stem vis provided for chamber aso that when the iiuid QW .through outlet ,extension Si! is cut .off by member 912' .the pressure` insaid chamber will" maintainsaid head 5l seated, and the removal of and repackins of the packing assemblyaor cap `lllfl'f 52 may be effected under prevailing. or. full boiler pressure. Upon completion of the packing operation, all that is necessary to restore the boiler or locomotive to normal operating condition, is the opening oi the cut-off element ile. While the assembly A has more particularly been described as a blow-ori sludge valve for locomotive boilers, it is to be understood that it is equally applicable to other types of boilers as well.

It will be apparent that I have designed a boiler valve assembly including a body or casing having aligned inlet and outlet iiuid passages, a

valve block including a valve stem, said block being mounted within the casing and slidable in a chamber intercepting its passages, means in connection with said block for equalizing the fluid pressure on said block to render it freely slidable, and an end detachable and readily demountable chamber closure or bonnet assembly including valve operating lever supporting and locking means, a removable valve stem packing retaining unit or assembly, and means for eiecting replacement of the packing under prevailing boiler pressure, said valve assembly being simple in construction, manufacturable at a reasonable cost, easily installable, and efficient for the purposes intended.

Although in practice it has been fcund that the form of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and referred to in the above description as the preferred embodiment is the most eiiicient and practical, yet realizing that conditions concurrent with the adoption of the invention will necessarily vary, it is well to emphasize that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire protected by Letters Patent is as set forth in the following claims:

1. In a valve assembly, a casing formed with aligned fluid passages, a valve block mounted within the casing and slidable in a chamber intercepting its passages, said block being mounted within the chamber for limited movement transversely and vertically with respect to its sliding movement and including a iiuid passage and a valve section alternately operable into registering position relative to said fluid passages and pressure means in connection with said block for positioning the bloei; for easy reciprocatory movement said pressure means including a source of iiuid under pressure and a plurality of passage ways formed exteriorly and interiorly oi the block :for directing said iiuid around and interiorly or the block to space the latter from the walls of said chamber, whereby said block during its sliding movement is adapted to float within said chamber when subjected to iiuid pressure.

2. In a valve assembly, a casing formed with aligned fluid passages, a valve block mounted ..120 within the casing andv slidablel in a chamber intercepting said passages and having inlet and Outlet openings in respectto` Said passages, said blOCk being mounted Within the chamberr `for limited movement transversely and vertically with respect to its sliding movement andV having upper and lower plane surfaces and including a. fluid passage therethrough, and a valve cavity opening through-its lower plane surface, a valve member .seatedV in said cavity adapted to close said outlet opening, and pressure meansin connectionwith the upper andlowerplane surfaces of saidv floating block, whereby said block may be readily moved to valve closing position said pressure means including a source of fluid under pressure, and a plurality of passageways formed exteriorly and interiorly of said block, said passageways being in communication with said nuid under pressure and foi' directing the iiuid in enveloping relation with respect to said block and into said cavity to space the block from the defining walls of said chamber, whereby said block during its movement is adapted to iloat within said chamber when subjected to fluid pressure.

3. In a valve assembly, a casing formed with aligned fluid passages, a valve block mounted within the casing and slidable in a chamber intercepting its passages and having inlet and outlet openings with respect to said passages, said block being mounted within the chamber for limited movement transversely and vertically with respect to its sliding movement and having upper and lower plane surfaces and including a uid passage therethrough, said block being formed with a valve cavity opening through in its lower side, a valve member seating in said cavity adapted to close said outlet opening, said fluid passage and valve member being alternately operable into registering position with respect to said inlet and outlet openings, spring means in said cavity for maintaining the Valve member in .sealing position with respect to said outlet opening, and additional means in connection with said block for supplementing the action of said spring means, said additional means including a source of fluid under pressure and a plurality of passageways formed in said block and extending exteriorly and interiorly thereof and into enveloping relation with respect to said block and into said cavity to space said block from the defining walls of said chamber, whereby said block during its sliding movement is adapted to float within said chamber when subjected to fluid pressure.

4. In a valve assembly, a casing formed with aligned fluid passages and an elongated chamber intercepting the passages, the chamber having inlet and outlet openings in connection with said passages, a valve block adapted to float within the chamber when subjected to iiuid pressure, said block being slidably mounted within said chamber and constructed and arranged ior` limited movement transversely and vertically with respect to its sliding movement, said valve block including cut-off and fluid passage portions and being shiftable alternately to open and closed positions, said cut-ofi portion having a solid upper surface and a cavity in its under surface, a valve member seated in said cavity, a removable seat for said valve member, yieldable means in said cavity in connection with said valve member tending to project it beyond the under surface of said block into engagement with the lower chamber Wall and said seat, and means in connection with said block and cavity adapted to maintain said valve member seated with respect to said outlet opening and to entrap uid in said chamber when the block is in passage closing position tending to i'loat said block so that its slidable movement may be easily eiected, said means including a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid channel formed in the vertical Wall of and extending aroundA said block and in communication with said cavity and with said source i of fluid for directing said uid in enveloping relation with respect to and interiorly of said l block, said channel additionally serving to release fluid trapped in said chamber to permit the 12 movement of said valve block to valve closing position.

CHARLES OCKER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

